A Hunter's Blood: The Crimson Contracts
25

“Wake up, baby.”

Drakx felt a hand on his arm rock his body. He began to emerge from his stupor.

When he opened his eyes, and focused, he saw Kimi gracing his new existence.

“Baby, you Okay?” she asked him in a silky, comforting whisper. It felt like a warm blanket.

His new life was bliss. No DNAccidents. Kimi was still with him. No worries or problems. The only snag was Braniff Cercian.

Drakx shot up in desperate nervousness.

“I must stop Braniff from monitoring us!” he said to Kimi.

Kimi saw his nervousness, and was compelled to comfort him. “He’s not important now. We are,” She caressed his forehead. “You are.”

He began to recall the ordeal. He remembered this time. His mental distress call was gone. He was with Kimi lying in his bed in mentally silent bliss.

“It’s over, baby. I remember it all,” he said. “Zhorryn has given me an amazing gift to keep us seamlessly fluid.”

“I know of your heightened intelligence,” She said. “He gave me blessings also.”

Kimi smiled. “I’m human. Flesh, bone, ignorance. All of it. Zhorryn said my old vessel was gone. He recreated me to thank me for helping you. I’m normal!”

Drakx couldn’t believe it. “You aren’t smart, I mean, unnaturally super smart anymore?” he asked, catching his inadvertent insult.

Kimi caught it before he did, but understood his intention. “I’m normal, baby, and I can’t believe how blissful ignorance is.”

It brought a smile to his face.

She hoped to enhance it. “Our baby is as human as we are.”

His smile turned to confusion quickly. “Zhorryn granted us a…baby?!”

“No, silly,” She corrected him. “I guess sleeping with you after dinner that night did have an ulterior motive for us both.”

Drakx had a question on his face.

“Yep,” Kimi answered. “Natural.”

His smile returned brighter and wider. He leaned to Kimi, wrapped his arms around her, and gave her an air stealing hug.

“We are pregnant? My God, I love you more each minute!” he said, squeezing her harder.

“I love you more than breathing,” She eked with effort. “But I still gotta breathe.”

Drakx realized how tight he was holding her, and quickly released his hugging death grip.

He finally heard her say it. She had slayed her intangible dragon. He was elated.

“I couldn’t love you in my previous existence. I was halted by analytical logic,” she began. “I was made to discard feelings, and harness logic. It kept me from being…human.” she tilted her head, looked at him lovingly and said. “Now, I’m pure human, and I can say that I have loved you for a long time. I, oddly, couldn’t allow it then.”

Drakx embraced her, again. “Less talking, Kimi, more hugging.”

“I’m changing my name,” Kimi said, surprisingly.

“Wha... why?!” Drakx asked, confused.

“Kimi has a Japanese meaning of ‘she with no equal’. That was my old vessel. After my evolution, and everything we’ve been through, I’ve decided Keiko would be more appropriate. Look up the meaning.”

Drakx’ smile grew wider. “I already know what it means, baby, and you are definitely adored.”

They held each other close. They felt their warmth, and scent mingle. It would have lasted for much longer if the Info-screen didn’t ring.

“Answer that. It’s your supervisor,” She whispered in his ear.

Drakx fought himself to snap from the hug. He moved to the info-screen.

“I don’t know how you pulled it off, Hunter,” Erin sounded excited. “That information about Cercian was gruesome, but detailed enough for a contract.”

That was what woke him. Braniff and the Solution were still a threat.

“I will explain later my method of information gathering, and distributing. I accept the contract,” he said with commitment.

“What contract?” Erin asked. “When we went after him, he shot his bodyguard and himself in the head. His infamy completed his contract. Your explanation will happen now.”

It was truly over. Nothing to haunt them. He had to thank Erin for her help. He began to explain.

“I died again. That is why my chip downloaded to the Guild. Keiko had given me information of Braniff’s activities. Do not worry. We had an ordeal with the DNAccidents, but they are dead for good now. We are safe, and Kimi changed her name to Keiko.”

Erin was silent. It took a second to soak it in. “Since you’re standing here, I won’t even ask how you were killed, and resurrected. I’m just happy you found... Keiko. I’m giving you a week before you come back. We’ll discuss it then.”

“I’m not coming back,” he said shockingly. “We have a baby coming. Being a Hunter is too deadly to also be a father. I will return my gear. Sorry, my trench coat, and the gear you gave Keiko is now radio-active dust. I’ll tell you about it over coffee one day.”

Erin was surprised her star Hunter was finished. With them being pregnant, she understood. He had a choice to still be a Hunter, however, fatherhood didn’t grant him that opportunity.

“You are still part of the Guild. Bring the baby by when it’s born. The team… and I will miss you,” she admitted. “I know you’ve been financially set for years, but without all the excitement, what are you going to do?”

Drakx smiled as Keiko walked behind him, and over his shoulder, began to brush the hair across his chest. “Live… Sir.”

Erin for once smiled back, and said, “I guess it’s time to call in my favor, complete that contract, Drakx.”